Total darkness or a little ambient room lighting?

[ScubaSkeets]

Hi folks!
So my 125G is in my finished basement that has no windows and is absolutely pitch dark (I cannot see my hand an inch from my face).
When the aquarium lights are off, I think I should at least put a night light in the room for even a little ambient lighting for the fish. My wife says total darkness is best.
What say you?

 

[Biglew11]

pitch dark is fine. fish don't have lights on the reef in the wild.

 

[Waters]

Hi folks!
So my 125G is in my finished basement that has no windows and is absolutely pitch dark (I cannot see my hand an inch from my face).
When the aquarium lights are off, I think I should at least put a night light in the room for even a little ambient lighting for the fish. My wife says total darkness is best.
What say you?

I personally don't think it matters either way. Shallow reefs in the ocean are never completely dark but I have also heard it is beneficial to coral for total darkness. I don't think the fish care